When I moved into my own apartment many years ago, my grandmother told me "if you dust, no one will know you didn't vacuum." If your clothes fit well and you wash your face and stand up straight and tuck in your shirt and do all those things your grandmother told you to do, no one will notice if you didn't spend a lot of money on your outfit. Having said that, I do think people notice the leathers on a man - get nice shoes, belt, watch, wallet and briefcase.

Good analogy. Cheap shoes are functional, but they're neither durable nor pleasurable. There's something I find extremely appealing -- even reassuring -- about the sturdy blend of wood and brass in a good umbrella. You can feel the quality, and there's not much you can say that about these days.

The first time I carried my Brigg, I watched some poor guy, dressed to the nines in suit and tie, get drenched after his umbrella flipped inside out. He proceeded to carry it over his head like a saucer. The Brigg, meanwhile, didn't flinch.

Cheap is usually more expensive in the long-run. I have learnt that the hard way.

Don't cheap out on the bag/briefcase. Nothing worse than seeing an otherwise well-dressed person with a cheap, black nylon messenger bag slung over his shoulder. A classic leather or canvas bag without any branding or other tacky details is the way to go.

Yes. I have a simple, classic, no-branding black leather bag from Wilson's Leather (which I bought for about $90) that still gets compliments after 5 years.

Browsing through this post an item that people to my surprise have suggested to go cheap on were shirts. I personally don't see the point of wearing a cheap shirt if you're wearing an expensive suit. However, I don't think a shirt should cost $500 or something ridiculous, but if you can get things like RLBL on sale for under $150 (about the price of two Zara shirts) why wouldn't you?

The thing I find with most internet communities based around an interest is the people who participate the most are the ones who are on the extreme end of the spectrum. People who might be more moderately involved tend to be overly critical of themselves sometimes when they measure themselves against those who are heavily involved. In this case you have forum members who have over 100 shirts that might consist of mostly MTM and bespoke shoes and suits. That's just not possible for the majority of people. I think what's most important is mix high and low. I know I feel so much better when I have a high quality/luxury piece on, but I also know owning all luxury is behind my me finacially at the moment.

Browsing through this post an item that people to my surprise have suggested to go cheap on were shirts. I personally don't see the point of wearing a cheap shirt if you're wearing an expensive suit. However, I don't think a shirt should cost $500 or something ridiculous, but if you can get things like RLBL on sale for under $150 (about the price of two Zara shirts) why wouldn't you?

The thing I find with most internet communities based around an interest is the people who participate the most are the ones who are on the extreme end of the spectrum. People who might be more moderately involved tend to be overly critical of themselves sometimes when they measure themselves against those who are heavily involved. In this case you have forum members who have over 100 shirts that might consist of mostly MTM and bespoke shoes and suits. That's just not possible for the majority of people. I think what's most important is mix high and low. I know I feel so much better when I have a high quality/luxury piece on, but I also know owning all luxury is behind my me finacially at the moment.

Things I've spent a lot on (or purchased at a discount but would pay full ticket again);

- A Papworth briefcase (purchased half-price with a small mark on it) - this should last me my natural lifetime, and look better as it develops a patina.

- A solid-stick umbrella from Fox (purchased half-price in their sale) - again, something that barring loss or theft should last a long time, is repairable, and sturdy (solid-stick) and yet acceptable with a suit or in the country

- Suits (I'm saving up for bespoke, but meanwhile have fully-canvassed OTR). I'm tall and slim hence it's difficult to get a good fit from a mass-produced lower-end product

- Socks - I tried some Pantherella socks once and they wore out in no time. I buy cheap black polycotton socks and replace them regularly

- Underwear - I mean, who's looking?

- Overcoats - not seriously cheap, but the cut is less of an issue than with a suit

- Shirts - I've tried Jantzen but I get decent quality shirts (Pink, Tyrwhitt, Hilditch) for about $10 a time at thrift stores, so feel no need to spend more

- Shoes - not seriously cheap, but I walk a lot and tend to damage or wear out shoes pretty quickly. I've stopped at about the Tyrwhitt / Loake / Cheaney level for now because I'd be distraught if I wrecked an expensive pair of Greens walking in the rain....

So my two things that I spend on are:
1. Watches, have two, a Rolex and Omega, if I had the money I would have many more
2. Pens, especially fountain pens, currently have cross, waterman, montblanc, pelikan...want an aurora again and a few others.

1. T-Shirts - Jockey are good enough for me
2. Socks - haven't found a need to go better than gold toe yet
3. Unfortunately suit, jos banks exec model...only wear it for interviews and that has been like once every few years.

Ok I'll say it CUFFLINKS. Like people REALLY are going to notice that you are wearing 750$ cufflinks with a random design that does not even reflect that it's from a prestige brand.

+1. I have 1 pair of cuff links I've worn for a few years of modest price. I want another pair, but frankly I can't find another pair i find more attractive, at any price point, even from designers like Cartier and Tiffany. There's no real relation between price and attractiveness of cuff links, unless we're talking the cheapest of the cheap where they paint the design onto plated brass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by metkirk

Things worth paying extra for: Haircut

-100. There's no relation between price quality of a haircut. You just need to find a competent barber. (HINT: You won't find them at any chains, and avoid places that do women's haircuts.) But there are plenty of independent barbershops that charge peanuts and can give you a haircut as good as any spa/salon. I used to go to a men's spa that charged $60 for a haircut which I thought was terrific, but on vacation in London I went into a hole in the wall barbershop that advertised haircuts for $10. The $10 haircut was better than the $60 cut. Since then I've found a local guy less than a block away from this spa that charges $25 for a better haircut.

+1. I have 1 pair of cuff links I've worn for a few years of modest price. I want another pair, but frankly I can't find another pair i find more attractive, at any price point, even from designers like Cartier and Tiffany. There's no real relation between price and attractiveness of cuff links, unless we're talking the cheapest of the cheap where they paint the design onto plated brass.

-100.

There's no relation between price quality of a haircut. You just need to find a competent barber. (HINT: You won't find them at any chains, and avoid places that do women's haircuts.) But there are plenty of independent barbershops that charge peanuts and can give you a haircut as good as any spa/salon. I used to go to a men's spa that charged $60 for a haircut which I thought was terrific, but on vacation in London I went into a hole in the wall barbershop that advertised haircuts for $10. The $10 haircut was better than the $60 cut. Since then I've found a local guy less than a block away from this spa that charges $25 for a better haircut.

While the correlation between price and quality of cut is pretty loose, I think it's still there, especially for people who have very difficult hair to cut (i.e. me). There have been a number of times where I will try a cheaper barber and they will not only butcher it, but basically give up half way because my hair is too thick and hard. (ooo...) For disclosure, I spend at most $60 a cut in London and about half that in Asia. I did go to the Fred Segal barber in LA once and it was crap.

+1. I have 1 pair of cuff links I've worn for a few years of modest price. I want another pair, but frankly I can't find another pair i find more attractive, at any price point, even from designers like Cartier and Tiffany. There's no real relation between price and attractiveness of cuff links, unless we're talking the cheapest of the cheap where they paint the design onto plated brass.

-100.

There's no relation between price quality of a haircut. You just need to find a competent barber. (HINT: You won't find them at any chains, and avoid places that do women's haircuts.) But there are plenty of independent barbershops that charge peanuts and can give you a haircut as good as any spa/salon. I used to go to a men's spa that charged $60 for a haircut which I thought was terrific, but on vacation in London I went into a hole in the wall barbershop that advertised haircuts for $10. The $10 haircut was better than the $60 cut. Since then I've found a local guy less than a block away from this spa that charges $25 for a better haircut.

I went to Vidal Sasoon once, paid $75 and they messed up my hair. Yesterday, I went to a small barber shop, paid $20 an got a good haircut.

I second (or third) the haircut. Like a good tailor I suggest asking around your area to find out who is popular and has a lot of repeat business. Pick someone that has hair you consistently like and ask them where they go. Other than that, I find that I disagree with a lot of what some are writing here. I have a thing for the way things feel, I can tell an enormous difference in various qualities of fabric. It's as important to me as the outward appearance. So in my mind, anything that comes in frequent contact with my skin and that I will wear often, is worth extra attention and money. I liken this to what we used to say in the softare biz to new computer owners. The most important parts of your first computer are the monitor, mouse, and chair, because this is how you interface the damn thing and this is what will most directly influence your comfort. That being said, I think its fairly important to find that brand of underwear, sock, shirt that you like the most and hawk out a good sale on it. But don't skimp. Even if your skin isn't as sensitive as mine, I bet your underwear rubs against skin you are fairly careful/fond of. To some extent, the same can go for accessories. If it's a question of function, I make sure I have that going first, before I pay more for style. The difference between a $5000 watch and a $100 watch is generally not much of function. However, I do splurge on the best Revo sunglasses. While generally bland style, the quality of the lens can not be denied. My dad used to say, "there are 9mm and then there are 9mm". Now I feel the same way about cashmere, I guess I'm a bit more dandy.